Project PRAIRIE
Crissey Elementary School is in the process of having a prairie and native landscape installed by the Toledo Zoo. Project PRAIRIE is funded through a generous grant from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Disney Corporation Conservation Fund. Project PRAIRIE links the Toledo Zoo’s conservation programs directly to schools across northwest Ohio. The prairie will convert vast areas of grass into native habitat that attracts pollinators and other native fauna. Teachers and students will be able to collect valuable information by studying the diverse animal and plant species in the prairie. The location of our prairie and native landscape will be to the west of the Crissey playground area, on the other side of the fence.
Besides the prairie installation, teachers from Crissey will participate in professional development at the Toledo Zoo related to the prairies. They will receive training in Project PRAIRIE and grade level specific curriculum that is matched to state science standards. The Toledo Zoo will provide the professional development free through the terms of the grant.
On March 19, our kindergarten students had an opportunity to get involved in the seeding process of Project PRAIRIE. Students were able to spread a handful or two of grass seeds in the designated area of Project PRAIRIE. Members of the Toledo Zoo community programs had a short discussion with the students about the prairie and what it will eventually look like in a year or two.
Springfield Local Schools is happy to have the Toledo Zoo as an educational partner.
